Illuminated lawn sprinkler and/or attachment



April 2l, 1959 I F `J HQRVATH 2,883,114 4 V ILLUMINATED LAWN SPRINKLERAND/OR ATTACHMENT Original Filed. April 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

TlE-Z f {fMxM//MATH APrl 21, 1959 F. J. HoRvATH 2,883,114

ILLUMINATED LAWN SPRINKLER AND/OR ATTACHMENT original Filed April 1a,1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 f 65 V/ /f 6 y XMI-.10." 6? 6/ 0 7 l Il Il l 66 I0/ Illll 64 55 4f lm' 5,;

INVEN-TOR. T/SfA/A/JA/awf/ 2,883,114 Patented Apr. 21 1959 ILLUMINATEDLAWN SPRINKLER AND/ R ATTACHMENT Frank J. Horvath, Cleveland Heights,Ohio Originaliapplication April 18, 1955, Serial No. 501,940. Di'dersiand this application April 8, 1957, Serial No@ 65` ,48 f

Claims. (Cl. 239-49) The present invention relates to lawn sprinklersand the like, and more particularly, to an illuminatingattachmenttherefor and to` illuminated sprinkling devices.

The present application is a division of my copending application SerialNumber 501,940 led April 18, 1955 andnow abandoned.

An object of the present invention is the provision of anew and improvedilluminated lawn sprinkler device, or the like, of the type having arevolving sprinkler element, which device is simple and rugged inconstruction, inexpensive to manufacture, and which substantiallycompletely and effectively lights up the water sprayed by the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedilluminated lawn sprinkler device, or the likepof the type having asprinkler element rotatably mounted on the upper end of a pedestal, andwhich device substantially completely and effectively illuminates thewater sprayed from the rotatably mounted sprinkler element from aposition beneath the trajectory of the sprayed water.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a new andimproved illuminated lawn sprinkler device, or the like, of the typehaving a sprinkler element rotatably mounted on the upper end of apedestal, and

havingmeans for substantially completely illuminatingl 4water sprayedfrom the rotatably mounted sprinkler element with light ofdifferentcolors, and which means is adapted to rotate to produce :adynamic colored lightingeffect.-

Another .object of the invention is the provision of a new and improvedilluminated lawn sprinkler, or the like, 0E the above described typewherein the means for illuminating the water spray with colored light isdriven by the rotatably mounted sprinkler element, and wherein means areemployed to #decrease the speed of rotation of both thesprinkler elementand the illuminating means.

Still` another object of the invention is the provision ofy a new andimproved illuminated lawn sprinkler, or the like, of the type having asprinkler element rotatably mounted on the upper end of a` pedestal andcomprising, means for illuminating at least some of the water sprayedfrom the rotatably mounted sprinkler element, means rotatably mountingsaid first mentioned means to the pedestal, and means forming a drivingconnection between said rotatable spr'inkler element and said firstmentioned means, which driving connection will rotate said rst mentionedmeans' at a speed less than the speed of rotationV of said rotatablesprinkler element.

AA `further object of the invention is the provision of a new: and'improved illuminated" lawn sprinkler device, or the like, of the typehaving a sprinkler element, with at least one spray nozzle therein,rotatably mounted on the tope ofv a pedestal; said device also having yacolored lightsource 'adapted to `direct colored light directly upon theAwateri'ssuing from: the spray nozzle.

A still further object ofthe invention is the provision of' anewandimproved illuminating `attachment for a lawn sprinkler, or the like, ofthe type having a sprinkler element rotatably mounted on the top of apedestal, and which illuminating attachment incorporates various of theobjects above enumerated.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which` the invention relates from the following description ofthe preferred `embodiments described with reference to the attacheddrawings forming ra part` of` this specification in which like numeralsdesignate correspondingparts, and in which:

Figure 1 is aside elevational View, with parts in section, of oneembodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, with parts in section, of anotherembodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a side elevational View, with parts in section, of stillanother embodiment of the invention; and

Figure Llis-a plan view of Figure 2.

As previously indicated the present invention relates to illuminatedlawn sprinklers, or the like, of the type havingl a pedestal on the topof which isrotatably mounted a sprinkler element or head'containing oneor more spray nozzles, and to the illuminating means therefor, whichmeans can preferably be made as an attachment for lawn sprinklers nowcommercially available. The invention may be variously embodied, butwill preferably include one or more sources of colored light mounted forrotation about the pedestal .and driven by the sprinkler element at aspeedwhichmay be the same asor diiferent from the speed of rotation ofthe rotatable sprinkler element. The source of light may be directed atthe discharge of the spray nozzles, or may be made to blanket the spraypattern` of the sprinkler device. Where the latter blanketing effect isto be achieved, the light source, or sources will preferably bepositioned beneath the sprinkler element and will surround the pedestal.This will conveniently be accomplished in the preferred forms of theinvention by a stationary light source positioned about the pedestal asfor example a circular flourescent tube, or a plurality of incandescentbulbs spaced about the pedestal, and a hoodstructure positioned aboutthe pedestali and overlying the light source; which structure may be`made from various colored light transmitting substances. The hoodstructure may therefore be considered to Ibeithe source of colored lightand will preferably bemounted for rotation about the pedestal in amanner permitting the struc-tureto be driven by the rotatable sprinklerelement. The` invention issusceptible to the production of numerous andvaried lighting eiiects, and several preferred embodiments of theinvention will now be described.`

Referring to Figure l of the drawings letter A designates a more or lessconventional lawn sprinkler of the previously referred to type having apedestal B on the upper end of which is rotatably mounted a sprinklerelement* or head C adapted to be rotated by the reaction of the` watersprayed from the nozzles or jets 10 located in` a hose` connectionlthrough which Water is conducted to theverti'eal tubular portion Mendthence to the rotatable sprinkler head C. The center hub 15 of thesprinkler head4 C is rotatably mounted on the top of the pedestal B in amanner providing a Water tight seal, and the water is thence conductedthrough a plurality of substantiallyhorizontally positioned tubular arms11 (in the' present instance four)l to the nozzles or jets 10 on theirouter' ends. either` slightly clockwise or slightly counterclockwise inthe present case counterclockwise as viewed in plan) such that thereaction of the` water sprayed from the nozzles or'jets lllrotates thesprinkler head'C. The ends The outer ends of the arms are bent 16 of thearms 11 are also bent slightly upwardly so as to give the water sprayedfrom the nozzles a larger trajectory and holes 17 are provided in thetop of the hub 15 such that water will be sprayed in the areaimmediately surrounding the sprinkler. The structure above describedrepresents `a typical lawn sprinkler of the type commercially availableas well known in the art and as such forms no part of the presentinvention.

To the sprinkler structure A above described, is mounted illuminatingequipment D which may be in the form of an attachment to be added to thesprinkler structure A by the customer or which may be assembled to thesprinkler structure A and forms part of the original equipment. Theilluminating equipment D shown, comprises a source of light 20 adaptedto be spaced about the pedestal B and a generally hemispherical lighttransmitting dome 21 adapted to be placed around the pedestal B aboutthe light source 20, such that the water spray is illuminated by lightpassing through the light transmitting dome. The dome 21 is preferablymade to transmit light of several colors and will preferably be mountedfor rotation about the centerline of the sprinkler structure. The dome21 shown has a hole 22 in its center adapted to be slipped over thebottom of the hub 15 and to be held against the bottom of a rubbergasket 23 positioned about the hub 15 beneath the arms 11, by an annulartransparent back-up washer 24 positioned on the inside of the dome andclamped to the arms 11 by bolts 25. The bolts 25 extend upward throughholes in the back-up washer 24 and dome 21 and each extends throughholes in the horizontally positioned legs 26 of a U-shaped bracket 27slipped over one of the arms 11 and which bolt is locked in place by awing nut 28.

The light source 20 shown, comprises four incandescent bulbs 29positioned in equally spaced sockets in turn supported by an annularmember 30 adapted to be positioned about the pedestal beneath the dome21 and held in by any convenient means as for example a set screw, notshown. An annular reilector plate 31 having a centrally located annularboss 32 is adapted to be slipped up around the pedestal B beneath thelight source and locked in place in any convenient manner as by a setscrew, not shown. The reflector plate 31 contains a small hole 33adapted to receive a light cord 34 the end of which is connected to thebulb receiving sockets in the annular member 30.

The dome 21 shown, has very little wind resistance and hence does notsubstantially reduce the speed of rotation of the sprinkler head. Itwill be desirable in certain instances to reduce the speed of rotationof the sprinkler head and dome. This may be done in any convenientmanner and may very electively be accomplished by a type of fluidcoupling or brake in which water is held between a stationary andrevolving part. As shown an open top annular pan 35 is supported aroundthe outside of reflector plate 31 such that the bottom edge of dome 21may be positioned in the annular pan 3S. Spray from the holes in the topof hub 15 falls upon the dome 21 and runs into the annular pan 35 untilit is full and overows over the outside edge of the pan. The reflectorplate 31 may be raised or lowered upon the pedestal such that the bottomedge of the dome 21 may be made to extend various distances into the panto engage various depths of water and thereby control the speed ofrotation of the sprinkler head and dome 21.

It will be seen that the sprinkler head and dome of the embodimentdescribed above rotate at the same speed and illuminate substantiallythe entire spray pattern of the sprinkler to produce a very pleasingeiect.

Another very pleasing lighting el'ect can be had by having the sprinklerhead and dome rotate at diierent speeds. This may be accomplished in anyconvenient manner, and as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure2, is accomplished by the use of a type of iluid coupling between thesprinkler head and an independently rotatably mounted dome. The dome 21'of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is provided with a downwardlyextending annular projection 40 adapted to bear upon the top face 41 ofan annular bearing structure 42 positioned about the pedestal B on topof the annular member 30 which supports the socket for the bulbs 29. Thetop surface 41 of the annular bearing structure 42 has an annularprojection 43 on its upper surface adapted to surround annularprojection 40 of the dome 21' and thereby center the dome 21 about thepedestal B. The top surface of the dome 21' is slightly flattened and isprovided with an open top annular chamber y44 adjacent the hub 15 toform one member of the fluid coupling. The other member of the fluidcoupling is formed by an iannular member 45 adapted to rest upon thearms 11 about the hub 15 and to be clamped to the arms by spring clips46. The annular member 45 contains vertical slots 47 therein adapted toretain paddles 48 which are frictionally retained therein kand the lowerend of which project into the open top annular chamber 44. rlhe annularmember 45 also contains large holes 50 therein which help to permitwater spray to reach the open top `annular chamber 44. The paddles 48may be raised or lowered to provide various amounts of lluid engagementand the radial outer portion of the open top annular chamber 44 isprovided with radial projections 51 which clear the paddles 48 to helpincrease water turbulence and therefore the amount of iluid coupling.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3 wherein meansis provided to direct light directly upon the water discharged from thenozzles on the ends of the arms 11. ln this embodiment afrusto-conically shaped dome 60 is provided having tubular projections61 projecting from its inclined surface and adapted to direct light uponthe tips of the sprinkler arms 11. The dome 60 and tubular projection 61may be opaque or may be made from color transmitting material as forexample colored Plexiglas etc. and colored light transmitting discs 62may be provided on the ends of the tu-l bular projections 61 to directcolored light on the water spray as it issues from the spray nozzles inthe tips of the sprinkler arms 11. Clamps 63 may also be provided tobrace the tubular projections 61 to the arms 11.

Figure 3 `also illustrates another preferred method of supporting thelight producing means. In this embodiment the sockets 20 into which thebulbs 29 are screwed and supported from the annular support ring 64 ofthe reilector plate structure 65. The support ring 64 is positionedabout the pedestal 14 and is held in place in any convenient manner asfor example by a set screw not shown, and the reector plate 65 isprovided with an annular pan 66 on its outer edge similar to that shownin Figure 1.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described asutilizing a dome positioned over a light source to provide coloredillumination of the water spray, the invention is not so limited.Individual colored bulbs with or without individual reflectors may bepositioned about the centerline of the sprinkler preferably below thesprinkler arms, and preferably although not necessarily adapted to berevolved about the centerline. A transparent dome may or may not also beplaced over the lights to protect them from the spray.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it

will be apparent that the objects heretofore enumerated,

as well as others, have been accomplished, and that there has beenprovided a new and improved illuminated lawn sprinkler etc. and/or alighting attachment therefor which can be made simply and cheaply andwhich can be made to substantially uniformly and completelylight up thewater sprayed by the sprinkler and which can be made to produce variousunique lighting effects.,

a,ess,114

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described inconsiderable detail, I 'do not Wish to be limited to the particular`constructions shown which may be varied Within the scope o'r theinvention and it is the intention to cover hereby all adaptations,modilications and arrangements thereof which come within the practice ofthose skilled `in the art to which the invention relates.

I claim: l

1. A lawn sprinkler or the like of the type having a pedestal memberrotatably supporting a sprinkler head member on its upper endcomprising, at `least one llight source positioned about said pedestal,and a hood structure extending about said pedestal member and positionedabout said source of light adapted to illuminate at least a part of thetrajectory of water sprayed from said sprinkler head member during itsoperation, means rotatably supporting said hood structure to saidpedestal member, water retaining means 'attached to said hood structurefor holding apredetermined depth of water about said pedestal member,and drive means attached to said sprinkler head member and adapted toengage water in said water retaining means thereby providing a drivingconnection between said sprinkler head member and said hood structure.

2. A lawn sprinkler or the like comprising a pedestal member throughwhich Water may be conducted, a rotatable head mounted on said `pedestal`member and adapted to receive Water from said pedestal member, aplurality of generally laterally projecting nozzles on said head, saidnozzles being adapted to `receive Water "from said head and to rotatesaid head, light producing means positioned beneath said head and`extending around said pedestal member to illuminate water issuing fromsaid head, a colored light transmitting hood structure having acentrally located opening therein through Which saidpedestal memberextends, said hood structure being positioned between said nozzles andthe light :producing means and extending around said pedestal member ina manner covering said light producing means, driving means operativelyconnecting said hood structure `to said rotatable chead, and a generallyhorizontal tray into which a portion of said hood structure projects toengage water in said tray to produce a iiuid coupling effect whichretards said hood structure.

3. A lawn sprinkler or the like comprising a pedestal member throughwhich water may be conducted, a rotatable head mounted on said pedestalmember and adapted to receive water from said pedestal member, aplurality of generally laterally projecting nozzles on said head, saidnozzles being Iadapted to receive Water from said head and to rotatesaid head, light producing means positioned beneath said head andextending around said pedestal member to illuminate water issuing fromsaid head, a light transmitting hood structure having a centrallylocated opening therein through which said pedestal member extends, saidhood structure being positioned between said nozzles and said lightproducing means and extending around said pedestal member in a mannercovering said light producing means, and driving means operativelyconnecting said hood structure to said rotatable head and comprising afirst cup-shaped tray for holding water, and a second member havingpaddles which project into said water for providing a lluid couplingettect therewith, one of said first and second members being carried bysaid rotatable head and the other of said first and second members beingcarried by said hood structure.

4. A lawn sprinkler or the like comprising a pedestal member throughwhich water may be conducted, a rotatable head mounted on said pedestalmember and adapted to receive water trom said pedestal member, aplurality of generally laterally projecting nozzles on said head, saidnozzles being adapted to receive water from said head and to rotate saidhead, light producing means positioned beneath said head and extendingaround said pedestal member to illuminate Water issuing from `said head,a light transmitting hood Vstructure having a centrally located openingtherein through which said pedestal member extends, said `hood beingpositioned between said nozzles `and `said light producing means andextending around said pedestal member in a manner `covering said lightproducing means, `said hood structure having a cupshaped tray thereonfor retaining water, means rotatably supporting said hood -structurefrom said pedestal member, and means carried 1by said Vrotatable headprojecting into said tray for contacting water therein and providing afluid coupling effect.

5. A `lawn sprinkler or the like comprising, a pedestal member throughwhich water may -be conducted, a rotatable head mounted `on vsaidpedestal `member and adapted to receive `water `from said pedestalmember, a plurality of `generally laterally projecting `tubular arms onsaid head, said `arms being adapted to `receive water from said head,spray nozzles on said arms and `from which Water issues to rotate saidhead, stationary light producing means positioned beneathsaid -armsandextending around said pedestal member `to illuminate water issuing fromeach of said arms, a light transmitting hoodstructure having a centrallylocatedopening therein through which `said pedestal member is adapted toextend, said hood structure being positioned between said stationarylight producing means and said arms landextending around. said pedestalmemberin a manner shielding said light producing means from the spray,said hood structure having a cup-shaped tray thereon for retainingwater, means rotatably supporting said hood structure from said pedestalmember, and means carried by said rotatable head projecting into saidtray for `contacting water therein and providing a fluid couplingelfect.

6. `In -a `lawn sprinkler of the typehaving a stationary lwater`conducting tubular member which supplies water to a sprinkler 'head`member mounted thereon that is rotatably driven by Water issuingtherefrom `and the issuing Water from which is color illuminated bylighttransmitting meanslt-hat is rotated `relative to the tubular memberby the sprinkler head; `said sprinkler further having means `operativelyinterpositioned between one of said members and said light transmittingmeans for regulating its speed of rotation and comprising: generallyhorizontally positioned tray means for receiving water issuing from saidsprinkler, and water contacting means extending down into said tray toprovide a duid coupling effect with water held in said tray, one of saidmeans being operatively connected to said light transmitting means andthe other of said means being operatively connected to said one of saidmembers to provide relative rotation between said tray and Watercontacting means that transmits torque to said light transmitting meansthrough the water in said tray means.

7. In a lawn sprinkler of the type having a stationary water conductingtubular member which supplies Water to a sprinkler head member mountedthereon that is rotatably driven by water issuing therefrom and theissuing water from which is color illuminated by light transmittingmeans that is rotated relative to the tubular member by the sprinklerhead; Isaid sprinkler further having means operatively interpositionedbetween one of said members and said light transmitting means Iforregulating its speed of rotation iand comprising: generally horizontallypositioned tray means positioned beneath said light transmitting meansto receive water run off therefrom, and water 'contacting meansextending down into said tray to provide a uid coupling effect withwater held in said tray, one of lsaid means being carried by said lighttransmitting means and the other of said means being carried by said oneof said members to provide relative rotation between said tray and watercontacting means to transmit torque to said light transmitting meansthrough the water in said tray.`

8. A lawn sprinkler or the like comprising a pedestal member throughwhich water may be conducted, a rotatable sprinkler head thereon havinggenerally laterally projecting nozzles from which Water is adapted toissue in a manner causingrotation of said sprinkler head, stationarylight producing means positioned beneathl said head and extending aroundsaid pedestal member in a manner to substantially uniformly andsimultaneously illuminate water issuing from said generally laterallyprojecting nozzles, a colored light transmitting hood structure having acentrally located opening therein through which said pedestal memberextends rotatably positioned between said stationary light producingmeans and said generally laterally projecting nozzles, said hoodstructure being carried by said sprinkler head and extending around saidpedestal member in a manner covering said light producing means, astationary generally horizontal annular cup-shaped tray extending aboutand being carried by said pedestal member in a manner to receive waterrun-oit from said hood structure, and means carried by said hoodstructure and projecting into said annular cupshaped tray in a manner tocontact water therein and provide a fluid coupling effect between saidlast-mentioned means and said tray which retards the speed of rotationof said hood structure. f

9. A lighting attachment for sprinklers of the type having a pedestalmember rotatably supporting a sprinkler head member that is providedwith laterally projecting arms from which Water is sprayed in a mannercausing rotation of the sprinkler head member, said attachmentcomprising: light producing means positionable around said pedestalmember beneath said sprinkler head arms to simultaneously illuminatewater issuing from the arms of the sprinkler, a generally dome-shapedcolored light transmitting hood structure having an opening centrallylocated therein through which said pedestal member is adapted to extend,said hood structure being positionable around said pedestal memberbetween said light producing means and said sprinkler arms, fasteningmeans for attaching said hood structure to the sprinkler head member tosupport androtate said hood structure, an 'annular cup-shaped tray forpositioning generally horizontally about said pedestal member andconstructed and arranged to be filled with water issuing from saidsprinkler, and means carried by said hood structure and constructed andarranged to project down into said tray to engage water therein andprovide a duid coupling effect between said last mentioned means andsaid tray which will retard the speed of rotation of the hood structure.

10. 1n a lawn sprinkler of the type having a stationary axiallyextending water conducting tubular member which supplies water to asprinkler head member mounted thereon and that is rotatably driven bywater issuing therefrom; stationary lights supported generally coaxiallywith respect to said pedestal member and spaced apart from the sprinklerhead member, a colored light transmitting hood covering said lights, anda torque transmitting fluid coupling operatively interpositioned betweensaid hood structure and one of said members, said iluid couplingcomprising a rst annular surface means positioned coaxially with respectto said sprinkler head and on which water is supported, said surfacebeing flooded by water issuing from said sprinkler, and means connectedto rotate coaxially relative to and above said first annular surface tocontact the water supported on said first annular surface means, one ofsaid means being carried by said hood structure and the other of saidmeans being carried by one of said pedestal and tubular members, andwhereby the water supported on said first means is contacted by saidsecond means to provide a iluid coupling etect.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,001,065 Mursch Aug. 22, 1911 1,642,910 Thompson Sept. 20, 19271,837,732 Stabler Dec. 22, 1931 1,953,837 Thorold et al. Apr. 3, 19341,982,315 Lundberg Nov. 27, 1934 2,537,048 Giblet Ian. 9, 1951 2,593,517Angulo Apr. 22, 1952 2,683,620 Keech July 13, ,1954

FOREIGN PATENTS 487,951 Italy Dec. 11, 1953

